Fiat Titano Freedom Plus (2025) Review

Fiat returns to the midsize pickup arena with the Titano, an honest, Argentina-built contender aiming to carve out its own space among giants like the Ranger, Amarok, and Hilux.

In a segment ruled by mechanical beasts with V6 engines, advanced ADAS systems, and wild performance figures, the new Fiat Titano Freedom Plus arrives with a refreshingly modest mission: to deliver without overpromising. Stellantis has revived a Chinese-based project, adapted and assembled in Córdoba, Argentina, with the goal of offering a local and affordable alternative in tough times for the automotive industry — a move that blends industrial patriotism with commercial realism.

A pickup that wins with honesty

Visually, the Titano doesn’t dazzle, but it doesn’t disappoint either. It’s derived from the Changan Hunter platform, which also underpins the Peugeot Landtrek, resulting in a narrow, somewhat conservative design. The lines are clean, the front end has presence, and Mopar details add a touch of character — though its Asian origins are still visible. The bed is shallow and the cabin feels narrow, but front ergonomics are solid. There’s no Italian DNA, no seductive curves like on the Toro or Strada, but instead, a sense of functionality and toughness.

Under the hood lies a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine producing 200 hp and 450 Nm of torque, borrowed from the Ducato. It’s reliable and efficient, though a bit noisy and let down by an awkward calibration of the ZF automatic transmission, which prevents it from unleashing its full potential. Performance-wise, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.8 seconds and delivers fuel consumption of around 9 liters per 100 km in mixed driving. Interestingly, it’s the first Argentine pickup to use Urea (AdBlue) — a technical milestone that sets a new benchmark in local production.

Around town, the Titano moves with agility and decent comfort, though its jumpy rear axle betrays its work-truck roots. On the highway, it behaves well up to 130 km/h, but beyond that, it becomes twitchy and sensitive to road imperfections. Its narrow chassis and somewhat slow steering mean it lacks the planted feel of the Ranger or Amarok. On rough terrain and rural paths, it performs reliably as a true workhorse, though it can’t quite match the off-road confidence of Japanese rivals. Stellantis chose a conservative suspension setup and a 2H-4A-4L drive system, notably missing a 4H mode, a puzzling omission in this category.

Conclusion

The 2025 Fiat Titano Freedom Plus doesn’t try to be the most powerful, the most refined, or the most high-tech. It’s an honest, hard-working, locally built pickup, designed for those seeking a dependable tool without pretensions. Fiat knows it can’t go head-to-head with the market leaders, but it’s betting on price (59,800,000 pesos) and national identity. In an ocean full of sharks, the Titano is a brave little fish — small, imperfect, but determined to swim. And for that alone, it deserves respect.